Book-holder.



No. 697,5l8. Patented Apr. l5, I902.

c. 5. mounou.

BOOK HOLDER.

(Application filed Oct; 80, 1901'.i

(No Model.)

I ,Zwcmb'r I MAY Y ATENT @FFICE.

CARRIE E. MOULTON, OF WVASI'IINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

\ v BOOK-HOLDER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 697,518, dated April 15, 1902. Application filed October 30,1901. Serial No. 80,485 (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CARRIE E. MOULTON, a citizen of the United States,residin g at Washington, District of Columbia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Book-Holders; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being bad to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of thisspecification.

My invention, which relates to book-holders, contemplatesthe production of an improved support for Bibles and other books constructed to be vertically adjustable,whereby the position of the book may be varied to suit the sitting or the standing attitude of the reader.

The nature of my invention will be readily comprehended, reference being had to the following detailed description and to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a perspective view of a bookstand embodying my invention, the stand being adjusted for use by a person standing. Fig. 2 is a similar view, but showing the stand adjusted for use by a person sitting. Fig. 3 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view showing in full and dotted lines the two adjustments.

Referring to the drawings by letter, A denotes the lower portion of the holder, consisting of end pieces a aand side pieces a a, suitably fastened together and preferably ornamented, asshown. To the upper ends of the end pieces a a are secured, by means of hinges b b, end extensions 0 C, also preferably ornamented. The end extensions are adapted to fold inwardly against the action of springs cl d, intermediately coiled at d, the lower ends of the springs being suitably fastened to the inner sides of the end pieces a a and the upper free ends 'thereof pressing against the inner sides of the end extensions to force the latter into vertical position, as shown in Fig. -1 and in full linesin Fig. 3. In folded position the end extensions contact with the upper edges of the side pieces a a.

E designates a table forming the support for the book.

At its rear upper side is a back piece f, and at the front is a bead f to confine the book. Depending from the sides and endsof the table is a flange e, and on the inner side of the front flange are pivoted two buttons g g. o

In Fig. 2 the support is shown adjusted for use by a person in sitting position, the side pieces a a, being cut away centrally to accommodate the knees of the reader. In this adjustment the table rests on the inwardlyfolded end extensions, the table-flanges overlapping said extensions. To adjust the support for use by a person standing, the table is raised by being grasped at the ends thereof, and the end extensions being relieved of the weight of the table said extensions are moved by the springs into the elevated position (shown in Figs. 1 and 3) to support the table at the proper height for a standing person. The elevated table is held against endwise movement by the buttons 9 g, which are turned to the position shown in Fig. 3 to clamp the end extensions against thetableflanges. It will be understood that by placing the hinges on the inner side of the extensions the latter can be folded only inwardly.

The upper edges of the extensions are forwardly inclined to give to the elevated table a forward inclination.

My improved holder is very simple in construction, and hence may be inexpensively made. For shipment it can be folded into small compass, is light in weight, may be made very attractive in appearance, and the work of adjusting it can be accomplished in a brief space of time and by the exercise of little labor.

In some instances it may be found preferable or even necessary to provide mechanical means whereby the table and its contents may be readily raised and lowered, which means may consist of rack-and-pinion devices operated through the medium of a crank or its equivalent, or in lieu of rack-and-pinion means any other suitable devices which will accomplish the purpose may be employed.

I claim as my invention- 1. A book-holder consisting of a supporting-base, end pieces hinged to the upper ends of the base sides to be elevated, means for holding the end pieces when elevated, and a table flanged on its under side and adapted to rest on the top of the base and the end pieces when the latter are folded and to rest on the free ends of the end pieces when the latter are elevated.

2. A hook-holder consisting of a support, end pieces hinged to the support to fold inwardly, springs operating to press the end pieces upwardly, and a table flanged on its under side and adapted to rest on the support 10 and folded end pieces and to rest on the end pieces when elevated by the springs.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

CARRIE E. MOUL'ION. Witnesses:

W. T. NORTON, ARTHUR BROWNING. 

